SportsInk.com

Firestone senior basketball start Shaia Horton is the SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week for Dec. 4.

Firestone girls basketball leader Shaia Horton is the SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week for Dec. 4.

Horton already has two 30-point performances to her credit in Firestone’s first three games. She put 30 on the board against Buchtel and East.

Firestone stands at 2-1 on the season.

Horton is a fourth-year varsity player, and area sports fans have grown used to seeing her name in the box scores. Horton was Honorable Mention All-City as a freshman, Second Team All-City as a sophomore and First Team All-City as a junior.

As a junior Horton averaged 17.4 points, 3.7 assist, 4.5 steals, and 9.2 rebounds per game.

“She is a coach’s dream, comes ready to play and works hard,” Firestone assistant coach Reggie Floyd said. “She has really matured. I love her passion, and that is something you can’t coach.”

Horton’s love for the game came through her eyes as she watched her mother play inspired basketball with passion and heart.

“Watching her play was fun but it also showed me to play real hard, that is what I remember most about my Mom playing” Horton said.

Buchtel graduate Stacie Carter is Horton’s mother. Horton has five siblings in Joelle, Lydia, Miller, Miller, and Christopher. Carter played basketball at Ohio State and was a consistent face in recreation leagues in the area.

Horton signed with Division II Ursuline College in November to continue her basketball career next year.

“I liked that fact that they were smaller, close to home, and play good basketball,” Horton said.

Horton plans to major in Sports Management.

“It gives you a lot of professional options,” she said.

Last season the Firestone team ended its 21-1 season with a loss to Hudson in the District Semifinals at Ellet but this year’s team is not going to dwell on the loss.

“We know we lost talent but we also know we have talent,” Horton said. “Everybody has really picked up their effort.”

Horton has not only picked up her mother’s style of play on the court but she also watches the WNBA with passion.

“My favorite player is Candice Parker of L.A. She plays hard,” Horton said.

“She is what she is, she handles herself well on and off the court and gets along with everyone, and she is a joy” Floyd said.

SHAIA HORTON

Class: Senior

School: Firestone

Sport: Basketball

FAVORITES

TV:  Family Guy

Movie:  Love and Basketball

Pizza:  Everything!

Home Cooking:  macaroni and fried chicken

IPod:  Trazy Songz

Class:  English

Bucket List:  Go to Puerto Rico